Laugavegur & Fimmvörduháls – Six Day Expedition

Duration: 6 Days, Moderate Level

Price: 199 990 ISK

Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls Trek- Top 20 Best World´s Hikes-takes you to the places of otherworldly beauty, a land of extreme diversity and to the kingdom of caramel-coloured dunes, smoking earth and daunting volcanoes.

This almost 80km (49,71miles) from Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork & Fimmvörðuháls offers you the purest wilderness experience. You will wander through volcanic landscapes, sleep in remotes mountain huts in beautiful surroundings and discover the real gems of nature. You will lose yourself in a nature seemingly untouched by man from streaming hot springs, obsidian lava fields, raging waterfalls, gurgling pools, snow peaked mountain ridges, moss covered foothills or massive valleys.

We start in Landmannalaugar, the bubbling wonderland with caramel color peaks, head to Hrafntinnusker named after the obsidian rocks, and next to a serenely beautiful lake of Álftavatn with views aplenty. From the bleakness and barrenness of deserted Emstrur overlooking the Mýrdalsjökull glacier to lush and brilliantly verdant kingdom of Thorsmork, an amazing valley at the foot of Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glacier.

And finally you will discover the magical route to Fimmvörðuháls Pass and its new twin craters of Magni and Móði which were named after the sons of Thor, the thunder god, and brought to the world attention after the Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruption in spring 2010.

Day 1: REYKJAVIK-LANDMANNALAUGAR AND FROM LANDMANNALAUGAR TO HRAFNTINNUSKER

The tour starts by the Reykjavík tourist info in Aðalstræti 2 at 7.00. Aðalstræti 2 is within walking distance of most hotels and guesthouses in central Reykjavík. We also offer pick up at your door for a small fee. After introductions we board the scheduled bus that takes us to Landmannalaugar. The drive takes about 3-4 hours, on the way we drive along the south coast and then turn inland and pass Icelands most active volcano, Hekla. Our hike starts in Landmannalaugar as we walk through this geothermal wonderland and look at the colorful mountains and steaming hot springs. We walk by the beautiful hot spring Stórihver before crossing into the obsidian desert by Hrafntinnusker. We spend the night in Hrafntinnusker, one of the most remote places in Iceland. (L, r, D)
Distance: 12km (7.5 mi) Walking time: 4-5 hrs Ascent: 470 m (1540 ')

Day 2: HRAFNTINNUSKER-ÁLFTAVATN (WHOOPER SWAN LAKE)

After a communal breakfast in the hut we head out again and walk along the Reykjafjöll mountains and then descend into the Jökultungur area. The geothermal activity has turned these gullies yellow and red. From the top of Jökultungur there is a great view over the Fjallabak area and lake Álftavatn which is our next overnight stop. Before reaching Álftavatn we cross an unbridged stream on foot. We spend the night by the lake. (B, L, r, D)
Distance: 12km (7.5 mi) Walking time: 4-5 hrs Descent: 490 m (1610 ')

Day 3: ÁLFTAVATN LAKE-EMSTRUR

We start the day with another refreshing stream crossing as we make our way past the green volcano Stórasúla and into the black desert of Mælifellssandur. On our way we will see Hattafell, a volcano with a strange flat top. We walk through this black glacial desert and into Emstrur where there is a chance to enjoy the view on Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. Just before reaching the campsite in Botnar we turn of the path to look at Markarfljótsgljúfur, almost 200m deep canyons carved out by the glacial river Markarfljót. The hut in Botnar is in a little green oasis, a welcome sight after walking through the black sands. (B, L, r, D)
Distance: 15km (9.5 mi) Walking time: 6-7 hrs Descent: 40 m (130 ')

Day 4: EMSTRUR-THORSMORK VALLEY

We put Emstrur behind us and continue along the canyons on our way to Thorsmork. The trail takes us within a few kilometers from the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier. As we descend towards Almenningar a few trees can be seen, a sign we are getting closer to the coast. We walk under the characteristic mountain Einhyrningur and into the dense birch forest in Þórsmörk. Thorsmork is a green valley nesting under the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, a magnificent place to spend the night. (B, L, r, D)
Distance: 15km (9.5 mi) Walking time: 6-7 hrs Descent: 300 m (985 ')

Day 5: HIKING TO MAGNI AND MÓÐI VOLCANO, FIMMVÖRÐUHÁLS PASS

Today we leave Thorsmork early in the morning and head for the mountain pass between the two glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. We will walk up to the two new volcanos formed in 2010, Magni and Móði, the sons of Thor. On the way we pass by a ?waterfall? of lava formed in the eruption. Here you have a chance to see how Iceland is still being constructed. fantastic view over the valley. We spend the night in Thorsmork and have a GOOD BYE party while enjoying a traditional Icelandic grilled Lamb for dinner. (B, L, r, D)
Distance: 16km (10 mi) Walking time: 7-8 hrs Ascent: 800 m (2600 ')

Day 6: THORSMORK VALLEY-SELJALANDFOSS WATERFALL-REYKJAVIK

In the morning we have a leisurely breakfast in the hut before going out to explore amazing surroundings. The volcanoes Katla and Eyjafjallajökull surround the Thorsmork valley, for thousands of years these volcanoes and the glaciers that cover them have carved the sandstone in Þórsmörk into surreal sculptures dotted with moss and Arctic birch trees. We hike up the mountain Útigönguhöfði for a fantastic view over the valley. Those who wish can also simply spend the relaxing and enjoying nature in this beautiful place. We return to Reykjavík in the early evening where the tour ends at the main tourist info around 18:30, Aðalstræti 2, in the heart of Reykjavík. From there taxis and local busses are available, but drop off at your accommodation can also be purchased with your tour. (B, L)
Distance: 6 km (3,5 mi) Walking time: 3 hrs

The entries at the end of each day indicate the meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, r=refreshment, D= Dinner)

Outside of Reykjavik we offer these pick-up places en-route to Landmannalaugar

Outside of Reykjavik, we offer these pick-up places en-route to Landmannalaugar:

8:35 from Hveragerði * N1 gas station

8:50 from Selfoss N1 gas station

9:25 from Hella- Bus Terminal

Duration / Level

6 days

Level: Moderate

Departures

July 04 – September 19

Pick Up

Guests are picked up between 07:15 and 07:45 in the morning from their accommodation in Reykjavik (optional). Please be ready at 7:15 am. If you don’t want pickup meet us at the Tourist Information Centre Reykjavik at 7:00 am. Address: Adalstraeti n°2 (Adalstraeti street is easy and very convenient to access and it´s within walking distance aprox.15-20min of most hotels and guesthouses in central Reykjavík)

Accommodation

Tents

Included

Transport

Guiding Service

Accommodation

Meals

Luggage transport from camp to camp

Note

Minimum age: 15 years old

Hiking boots, good sturdy boots with sufficient ankle support for walking on rough trails. They should have a robust sole and preferably be waterproof

Long sleeve top, thermal underwear made of wool or synthetics, not cotton

Rain jacket with a hood,preferably of breathable fabric such as Gore tex or similar

Rain trousers, preferably of breathable fabric such as Gore tex or similar

Gloves and mittens, one pair each. Wool or synthetic

Hiking socks, wool or synthetic, 2-3 pairs

Warm hat and/or balaclava

EXTRAS OF IMPORTANT HEALTH SUPPLIES OR SPECIAL PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE IF NEEDED

Backpack, 25-40 L River shoes, old sneakers or similar for fording rivers.

Sleeping bag and travel pillow

Travel sack for your baggage that is transported between huts. Suitcases are not recommended